Thursday, July 26, 2001

Execution through lens of crucifixion
The average American Christian may have almost forgotten a peculiar truth of the faith's origin - its founder was executed as a criminal by the Roman Empire.

Opinion: Problems start with 'T' which rhymes with 'P'
With apologies to Robert Preston in "The Music Man," we have problems that start with "T" and that rhymes with "P" and that stands for pool - the computerized version of the game. "T" is for theology, and the anguished issues are right here in River City.

Business Briefs
Morris Communications affiliates of the Amarillo Globe-News won four Digital Edge Awards from the Newspaper Association of America at its Connections conference for electronic media, including...

Good Time Guide
"Blame It on the Movies" 7:30 p.m. today-Sat. Amarillo College Concert Hall Theatre on the Washington Street campus.

In Friday's Paper
Going Ape: Greenlighting an updated version of "Planet of the Ages" is an easy call for a studio chief today, based on the success of its ancestor. In 1967, though, a movie mogul could fear it would make a monkey out of him.

Growing up Superman
PASADENA, Calif. - For someone who's faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Clark Kent still faces a daunting task this fall: elevating the image of parents on television.

Satisfying 'Sweethearts'
Eddie Thomas and Gwen Harrison, stars of such classic fare as "Autumn with Greg and Peg" and "Sasha and the Optometrist," have been the country's favorite movie-star couple for years.

Branching out
Country music artist Tracy Byrd decided to branch out on his eighth album, "Ten Rounds," which was released Tuesday.

Lobsterfest set for Saturday
The Amarillo Area Adult Literacy Council's 17th annual Lobsterfest, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Citadel, will feature live and silent auctions in addition to some pretty good eating.

For Your Information
The Panhandle Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will sponsor Family Day 2001 for people with multiple sclerosis and their families from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive.

News Worth Noting
The Amarillo Area Adult Literacy Council's 17th annual Lobsterfest, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Citadel, will feature live and silent auctions in addition to some pretty good eating.

Coalition to be part of market opening
The Panhandle 5 A-Day Coalition will again be a part of the Golden Spread Farmer's Market Grand Opening from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Eighth Avenue and Adams Street.

Single with Children: Parents' marriage high standard
My parents recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. I can't comment on the first 14 years, but I can testify that in the 41 years I have had the privilege of being their daughter, and as unbelievable as this sounds, I have never, ever heard them exchange what would begin to qualify as a cross word. Not one.

Volunteers
The Amarillo Independent School District, the Coalition of Health Services and the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon are looking for people to help the uninsured children of the community by providing information and application assistance for the coming school year registration. Training provided.

Around AC: Community Link offers many services at AC
Have you ever heard someone say "I would like to go to college, but I don't know where to start" or thought to yourself "I'm scared to even go on a campus?" Well, that is exactly where Amarillo College Community Link comes in.

Five Generations
Members of Claudine Wilson's family recently traveled to Amarillo from Van Buren, Ark., for a five-generation photograph.

Circle of champions
Six members of the Maverick Wrestling Freestyle Club placed at the 2001 Grand National Freestyle Wrestling Championships from July 4-7 at Albuquerque, N.M.

Women should use caution with botanical therapies for menopause
Black cohash, wild yam and Dong Quai, names that sound like ingredients, could be a recipe for trouble for menopausal women who think herbal treatments are as safe as - or superior to - medications and other treatments for symptoms, a new report says.

Tascosa graduates earn scholarships
The Amarillo chapter of the Texas Exes have selected two recent Tascosa High School graduates as recipients of $1,000 scholarships to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

Under Construction
The following information about construction on city streets and state highways and work on utility projects is provided to Friends & Neighbors readers based on information from city and state officials.

Undefeated Year
The Glenwood Elementary School second-grade boys Kids Inc. softball team recently completed an undefeated season in their coach-pitch league.

Burglary Alert
Burglaries for July 13 were on the 400 block of South Maryland Street; the 8600 block of Triangle Drive; the 3700 block of Lynette Drive; the 1400 block of Southwest 15th Avenue; the 400 block of South Williams Street; the 2200 block of Brook Avenue; the 1200 block of Pecan Avenue; and the 1100 block of North Lincoln Street.

Benefit Sports
The 10th Annual Walk for Diabetes, sponsored by the High Plains Council of the American Diabetes Association, is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 25 at Medical Center Park.

Minor League Champions
The Athletics, a North Randall County Baseball Association Minor League team, recently captures the spring 2001 league championship.

West Texas state champs
The North Randall County Baseball Association 10-and-under Red All-Star Team recently captured the 2001 West Texas state championship in Andrews.

Proclamation
Linda Hughes, left, director of the Amarillo College Theatre School for Children, and Carol Lovelady, right, look at a proclamation from the 77th Texas Legislature held by Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, honoring the school for its accomplishments.

Police seek drive-by shooters
Police are seeking two men in connection with a drive-by shooting Wednesday evening at a residence in the 1000 block of South Ricks Street, according to an Amarillo Police Department news release.

Briefs: Man assaulted in his home
A 25-year-old man was assaulted Monday night in his home by two armed men, according to an Amarillo Police Department news release.

Attorney: Cearley still constable
In a letter made public Tuesday, an attorney for Neal Cearley said he is still the Randall County constable and should be paid, within 10 days, for holding that office since January.

Some teachers say goodbye
All teachers leave for the summer, but some never come back. About 190 teachers resigned from positions with the Amarillo Independent School District, citing reasons from family to world travel.

Wood defends budget cuts amid mixed reactions
With Tuesday's filing of the proposed Randall County budget, the final push begins toward a spending plan and tax rate for a county rocked by angry debate and a vote to reject the last budget put forth by the county commissioners' court.

Health officials: Mold no threat
The Amarillo Bi-County Board of Health voted unanimously Tuesday to take the position that the mold known as stachybotus has no association with severe medical problems and recommended that the health department provide public education on the issue.

Bulletin Board
Here's a bit of trivia that's interesting. Author Eudora Welty, who died Monday at 92, had her first story collection, "A Curtain of Green," published in 1941.

Testimony begins in perjury trial
Prosecution testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a grandmother accused of perjuring herself during her grandson's murder trial last year.

Fire blamed on ember from grill
LIBERAL, Kan. - An errant ember from a charcoal grill is the most probable cause of the fire that burned the Liberal Country Club to the ground July 19, according to Liberal Fire Chief Jim Fisher.

Pets get hot, too
The continuous summertime heat can take its toll on anyone. But humans aren't the only living creatures affected by the hot weather.

Fund-raiser could help war memorial complete site
The Texas Panhandle War Memorial Foundation Inc. and Indian Motorcycle Amarillo are selling chances to win a 2001 Centennial Indian Chief motorcycle in an effort to raise funds to complete the war memorial site at Randall County Veterans Park, located at Interstate 27 and Georgia Street.

Environmentalists critize plan to sell timber
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) - Lincoln National Forest officials are making plans to proceed with a timber sale in an area burned by wildfire in May 2000, but environmentalists say that's the worst thing they could do.

Justice of the peace seals autopsy results
Autopsy results that might determine whether a baby found placed in a Dumpster on June 1 was born alive have been sealed because of heavy media coverage, Potter County Justice of the Peace Thomas Jones said.

Water usage concerns officials
High temperatures and high water consumption levels blended together to make city officials a little nervous this week.

Michigan team wins solar race
Using a million-dollar car, a University of Michigan team completed a 2,247-mile sprint down America's Main Street on Wednesday to win what was billed as the most arduous solar car race in the world.

TNRCC plans recycling day for Hereford area residents
The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission is offering Hereford area residents an opportunity to dispose of properly rinsed plastic pesticide containers, used motor oil, oil filters and lead acid batteries free of charge.

Interest builds to succeed Wood as judge
If the current situation holds, there will be a new county judge in Randall County, and the contest might be between a newcomer to politics and a veteran public figure.

Amarillo awarded grants totalling $3.5 million
Amarillo has been awarded a $2.48 million grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to finance its Community Development Block Grant program, according to a news release Tuesday from the office of U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm.

Fishing Report
BAYLOR: Water slightly stained; 80 degrees; Black bass to 7 pounds are slow on spinnerbaits, blue fleck or pumpkin worms, lizards and jigs on the main lake. Crappie are slow on minnows. Catfish to 11 pounds are fair on worms and cutbait.

Armstrong cruising to another title
SARRAN, France (AP) - For Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France is now a chance to shake hands with the wife of the French president in the midst of a leisurely ride toward victory in Paris.

American League Briefs
ARLINGTON (AP) - Left-handed pitcher Kenny Rogers, who will miss the rest of the season because of a circulatory problem in his throwing shoulder, was put on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday by the Texas Rangers.

CONGENIALTY
Jon Welch may not be familiar with the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers or the blue-line trap. In fact, prior to a year ago, Welch had never seen a hockey game in person.

Torre anxious for return of Justice
NEW YORK (AP) - New York Yankees manager Joe Torre hopes that a midseason addition of David Justice will once again by the tonic for New York's inconsistent offense.

This Cowboy has a leg up on foes
WICHITA FALLS (AP) - With a metal rod holding together the bottom half of his left leg, Greg Ellis made a valiant return to the Dallas Cowboys last season.

Sports Briefs
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Incoming Florida freshman Eraste Autin died Wednesday, nearly a week after collapsing and falling into a coma following a football workout with teammates.

Sports Briefs
CLEVELAND (AP) - Ron Ekker, who spent the past 10 years as a scout and assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday as an assistant under coach John Lucas.

National League Briefs
ST. LOUIS (AP) - J.D. Drew took batting practice Tuesday for the first time since his right hand was broken June 17, and the St. Louis outfielder will soon begin a rehabilitation stint at Class-A Peoria.

Condemned inmate requests DNA test
AUSTIN (AP) - A death row inmate scheduled to be executed Wednesday has asked the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to delay his punishment and consider whether he should receive DNA testing under a new state law.

Cornyn map selected
AUSTIN - Legislative Redistricting Board members chose a House plan from Attorney General John Cornyn late Tuesday over the proposal from House Speaker Pete Laney.

EMT's lawsuit says scripture led to firing
HOUSTON (AP) - An emergency medical technician is accusing his former employer of forcing him to quit his job after he quoted Scripture and discussed Jesus with patients en route to the hospital.

Conroe inmate wins a stay of execution
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) - Richard Kutzner, a convicted murderer with two death sentences, won a reprieve a day before he was set to die so the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals can consider its first appeal under a new law allowing DNA testing.

Appeals court grants inmate stay of execution
HUNTSVILLE (AP) - Richard Kutzner, a convicted murderer with two death sentences, won a stay of execution Tuesday that will allow the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to consider its first appeal under a new law allowing DNA testing.

Rural Texas hit in House plan
AUSTIN - Rural Texas took a tougher hit during the rancorous redistricting battle than some who entered the campaign - already worried about the fate of rural House strength - said they expected.

Senate redistricting draws Big Spring heat
AUSTIN - Tucked inside the large-scale issues of redistricting that faced West Texans - loss of rural strength in the House and far-flung Senate districts - was a small-town casualty that many say they didn't see coming.

Perry to speed road funds
HARLINGEN (AP) - Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday he's "confident" the Texas Department of Transportation will agree to step up $100 million in funding to widen South Texas highways now clogged by increased border commerce.

Tentative deadline set for courthouse grants
AUSTIN - The Texas Historical Commission courthouse committee members recently set the tentative deadlines for pursuing state funds to renovate county courthouses, according to a THC news release.

Sources: Private polygraph asked about Levy
WASHINGTON (AP) - A private polygraph administered to Rep. Gary Condit asked 10 questions, four dealing with Chandra Levy and none with allegations by a flight attendant that the congressman tried to persuade her to sign a false affidavit, The Associated Press has learned.

Man accused in slayings along interstate
TO'HAJIILEE, N.M. (AP) - A man accused of killing two people at businesses off Interstate 40 told his aunt "he had done something crazy" and shot them, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed Tuesday.

Coalition appeals area-code ruling
SANTA FE (AP) - A coalition that opposes changing the area codes for the Albuquerque and Santa Fe calling zones is taking its fight to the state Supreme Court.

Scholar expelled after two more are sentenced
HANOI, Vietnam (AP)- The Bush administration criticized the convictions Tuesday of U.S.-based scholars by a Chinese court, the latest in a string of spy trials straining the U.S.-China relationship.

San Jon petitioners force recall
SAN JON, N.M. - Petitioners seeking to remove two members of the San Jon Municipal School District Board of Education collected enough valid signatures to force a special recall election, Quay County Clerk Jeannette Maddaford said Tuesday.

OPEC agrees to cut oil output
LONDON (AP) - Moving quickly to buttress sagging crude oil prices, OPEC announced Wednesday it would cut output by 1 million barrels a day, or 4 percent of its official target level.

Check This Out
SANTA FE (AP) - Santa Fe area residents are finding not everyone knows they got new ZIP codes.

Energy department seeks independent evaluation
CARLSBAD (AP) - The U.S. Department of Energy wants a panel of scientists and engineering experts to review its plans for managing remote-handled radioactive waste at its underground dump in southeastern New Mexico.

Lucent to cut up to 20,000 jobs
NEW YORK (AP) - Lucent Technologies Inc., the AT&T spinoff that was once a Wall Street darling, posted a staggering $3.25 billion third-quarter loss Tuesday and said it will eliminate 15,000 to 20,000 more jobs.

Divers search for bodies of two sisters in New York
NEW YORK (AP) - While their uncle prepared for a day at the beach, three cousins waded into the surf and were dragged into treacherous waters by strong currents. A day later, relatives mourned the death of one girl, while divers searched for two more bodies.

Investigators examine cause of train derailment
BALTIMORE (AP) - Federal investigators examined city records and a century-old cast-iron pipe Tuesday to determine whether the derailment that paralyzed Baltimore was caused by a burst water main.

Chairman seeks probe of Keating, Dreyfus lobbying
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The new chairman of the state Democratic Party issued a demand Tuesday for a multi-county grand jury investigation of Gov. Frank Keating and his dealings with retired financier Jack Dreyfus, who gave his family $250,000.

Check This Out
LONDON (AP) - The caller who woke safari park workers in the middle of the night didn't say a word, but his shriek gave him away.

Rebels attack Sri Lanka airport
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - Tamil rebels attacked Sri Lanka's international airport and main air base Tuesday, blowing up a dozen aircraft with explosives and mortars and battling soldiers in one of their most audacious assaults in 18 years of civil war.

U.S. backs out of anti-germ warfare accord
GENEVA (AP) - The United States abandoned seven years of global talks on enforcing a treaty banning germ warfare Wednesday, surprising even its allies and prompting criticism for the latest in a string of go-it-alone U.S. positions.